Idaho Physician Groups Cited for Exceptional Performance

Regence BlueShield of Idaho reports improvements in quality of care delivered and avoidance of unnecessary costs for Idaho members and employers

August 07, 2018

BOISE – Two Idaho physician groups that are among the longest-term partners in Regence BlueShield of Idaho’s Total Cost of Care program are, once again, showing strong results. In a new 12-month analysis, both Catalyst Medical Group in north central Idaho and Primary Health Medical Group in the Treasure Valley met milestones that challenged them to use detailed claims data from Regence to continue increasing the quality of care they provide, while ensuring that care is cost-effective.

Performance highlights

The performance report for calendar year 2017 shows the two Idaho physician groups were among seven of the highest performing groups across the entire Pacific Northwest. To reach that level, the groups had to meet or exceed 16 quality of care targets for their Regence patients in such areas as monitoring persistent medications, avoidance of hospital readmissions, enhanced management of diabetics, appropriate use of the emergency room and increased preventive screenings. Better management of routine care needs and chronic conditions like these reduces costs, but more importantly, brings a better quality of life for these patients.

Of interest to all consumers of health care, the two physician groups delivered this high level of care while achieving very significant cost savings – between $20 - $50 per member, per month.

“We are honored to work with such committed, forward-looking physician partners,” said Melissa Christian, vice president of network management for Regence. “The analysis we’re sharing today clearly shows what is possible when we share actionable data that empowers physician groups to better manage the healthcare outcomes, quality and costs facing our members.”

Building on a foundation of success

Primary Health Medical Group has been a Total Cost of Care partner since 2015, while Catalyst Medical Group, then known as Valley Medical Center, embraced this care delivery and payment improvement model in 2014. Both have agreed to take their care and cost improvement efforts to the next level by joining the Regence Medical Neighborhood. The Regence Medical Neighborhood is Idaho’s only statewide accountable health network. In this “neighborhood,” people can choose one of seven primary care medical groups committed to high-quality care at an overall lower cost. The chosen group, or neighborhood, becomes a primary care partner. Individuals and families in the Regence Medical Neighborhood can go to any network specialist and any network hospital they choose.

Joining Primary Health Medical Group and Catalyst Medical Group in this novel network are:

Since 2013, Regence and its affiliated health plans have implemented over 50 value-based agreements – including Total Cost of Care – with providers across Idaho, Utah, Oregon and Washington.

About Regence BlueShield of Idaho

Regence BlueShield of Idaho, based in Lewiston, has been serving Idahoans for more than seven decades and now provides more than 162,000 members with comprehensive health insurance solutions. As a nonprofit mutual insurance company and independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers in Idaho and nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit regence.com, facebook.com/regenceblueshieldofidaho or twitter.com/regenceidaho.